Sandy’s Comments (group member since Dec 14, 2015)

Sandy’s comments from the Reading the Detectives group.

Speaking of underwhelmed, I started and dropped Holmes, Marple & Poe at the 25% mark.

Onto Cadfael, a known quantity.

Judy wrote: "I've just read The Sunken Sailor: Inspector Tibbett #2 by Patricia Moyes and really enjoyed it, especially as it was set on the coast of Suffolk, near where I live. I..."

I have started The Sunken Sailor: Inspector Tibbett #2. I learned about skiing in the first book and now have mastered sailing. Excellent so far and wondering what I will learn in the next book.

Much to like in this Maigret: bit of fog, Mrs Maigret's frustrations, many pipes smoked, and Maigret being kind to a down-and-out young man. A couple of wonderful twists at the end. The American following him around to learn his technique added humor.

My library request arrived and I read the book last night. One of my favorite Maigrets.

I enjoyed the book though I have reservations. I didn't find the murderer's motive convincing, nor did I understand how Annie found out the secret relationship. Why kill Mark? And why was Betty found alive?

However, the setting and the characters are enjoyable. Even Diabolo was a pleasure in this book, after being rather annoying in the first book. I also liked Max better is this time, although he had very little to do with solving the mystery.

I will be reading the next in the series.

Finished it and liked it. The setting and the characters carry this series (for me).

I listened to this, read by "Hastings", and, as it was a re-read, I paid less attention than normal. My original rating was three stars, and I am going to reduce it to two. I find Christie's spy stories much less satisfying than her standard murders. I thought this plot was too convoluted with spies popping up everywhere. I do like Tommy and Tuppence as characters.

The final blow was the good German, that everyone liked, turned out to be English. I suppose it was the temper of the times, but that was a step too far for me.

In the US: is $2. This book was mentioned in the Poirot vs Marple thread.

Judy wrote: "Just noticed that there is going to be a new Miss Marple book by Lucy Foley - don't think I've read anything by her, has anyone else?
https://www.thebookseller.com/news/ha......"

I read The Guest List and only gave it two stars but mostly because I resented spending time with the disagreeable characters. The plot and writing were fine, and it kept me going to the end.

Sonia wrote: "Lucy Foley wrote one of the short stories in the Marple: Twelve New Stories book - Evil in Small Places. I thought it was believable as a Marple."

I thought that 'twelve new stories' was an advertising gimmick!

Judy wrote: "For anyone wondering whether to read this, it's one of the special offers in today's Bookbub (UK), at 99p on Kindle, not sure how long for though!"

Also in US.

Haven't started yet but expect it to be bittersweet, much like Shardlake. Sorry to be leaving Cadfael's world.

Judy wrote: "Who's reading this one? Fun to get back to Tommy and Tuppence, and interesting that they have aged in real time, unlike Poirot and Miss Marple who stay the same age!

I've started, not very far in ..."

Maybe Christie can age them as they are introduced in their youth?

Someone else in my library system has had this checked out for much too long for such a short book!

I have the book from the library but will be away from my physical books until Monday.

I bought the next in the series.

I am about to start Memorial Days. I have read several of her books and those of her late husband, Tony Horwitz, as well as seeing them both talk about their books. Could be either depressing or uplifting.

I am reading Loose Lips, second in series by a Christie aficionado, Kemper Donovan.

I am very glad the author explained the motive for the murder as I was definitely lost as to why! A bit confusing (as is the British hierarchy of lawyers) but the characters, major and minor, were great.

Would have liked an epilogue. Does murderer's wife get to keep the inheritance? Do the actor and his wife reconcile? Does Charles regret his marriage to the wealthy witch? I can anticipate a romance between actor's son and the spruced up actress.

Finished now and am debating spending an about-to-expire Amazon credit on the next in the series (vs four Lorac's). Loved the three main characters and their relationship.